Radio antenna and front license plate bracket, please help.

[jhertlein]

Hello all,

 

I'm a proud owner of a new 2009 Vapor Silver Fusion SEL Sport. It has a radio antenna on the roof.......yet I've seen Fusions on the road without a radio antenna on the roof??? How did they get a Fusion without a radio antenna???

 

Also, my Fusion came with a front license bracket that I have no use for. I don't trust myself to drill out the bolts, and the dealership said it would cost $70 to take off, so I think I'm stuck with it. Do you think a silver mirror "Ford Fusion" plate would look nice, or a black mirror "Ford Fusion" plate? I haven't seen the black ones in person, but they look pretty sleek online.

 

Oh, and one last question. Does sport tuned suspension provide a smoother ride? I am really impressed with how smoothly this Fusion rides......not bumpy at all.......thought maybe that might be it. (A little f.y.i, my last car was a 1999 Contour).

 

Thanks, as some of these questions are really bugging me!

[bbf2530]

Hello all,

 

I'm a proud owner of a new 2009 Vapor Silver Fusion SEL Sport. It has a radio antenna on the roof.......yet I've seen Fusions on the road without a radio antenna on the roof??? How did they get a Fusion without a radio antenna???

 

Also, my Fusion came with a front license bracket that I have no use for. I don't trust myself to drill out the bolts, and the dealership said it would cost $70 to take off, so I think I'm stuck with it. Do you think a silver mirror "Ford Fusion" plate would look nice, or a black mirror "Ford Fusion" plate? I haven't seen the black ones in person, but they look pretty sleek online.

 

Oh, and one last question. Does sport tuned suspension provide a smoother ride? I am really impressed with how smoothly this Fusion rides......not bumpy at all.......thought maybe that might be it. (A little f.y.i, my last car was a 1999 Contour).

 

Thanks, as some of these questions are really bugging me!

 

Hi jhertlein. :D Congratulations on your new Fusion. Okay, let's try and answer your questions:

1 - Originally, the 2006 model year Fusion had the radio antenna embedded in the rear window glass. At some point later in the 2006 model year production, the antenna was moved to the roof.

2 - If my State did not require a front license plate, I would remove the bracket (just my preference, for what it is worth). If you want to put some type of mirrored plate there, get the one you think looks better. Between the two, I would choose the black one (just my opinion, for what it is worth).

3 - In general, a "Sport Tuned Suspension" would not provide what most people would call a "smoother" ride. It will provide a firmer, and "sportier" handling ride. Most people would consider the ride of the regular non SAP (Sport) Fusion to be smoother then the SAP. However, any Fusion will ride smoother than a 1999 Contour. That is just a given with a car that is 10 years newer with a more modern design.

 

Good luck with your Fusion! :beerchug:

[jhertlein]

Thanks for the reply! I wonder why they moved it to the roof?? You would think the embedded rear window glass version would look better.....but maybe it didn't get good enough reception??

 

Thanks a bunch.

 

Hi jhertlein. :D Congratulations on your new Fusion. Okay, let's try and answer your questions:

1 - Originally, the 2006 model year Fusion had the radio antenna embedded in the rear window glass. At some point later in the 2006 model year production, the antenna was moved to the roof.

2 - If my State did not require a front license plate, I would remove the bracket (just my preference, for what it is worth). If you want to put some type of mirrored plate there, get the one you think looks better. Between the two, I would choose the black one (just my opinion, for what it is worth).

3 - In general, a "Sport Tuned Suspension" would not provide what most people would call a "smoother" ride. It will provide a firmer, and "sportier" handling ride. Most people would consider the ride of the regular non SAP (Sport) Fusion to be smoother then the SAP. However, any Fusion will ride smoother than a 1999 Contour. That is just a given with a car that is 10 years newer with a more modern design.

 

Good luck with your Fusion! :beerchug:

[R3DALRT]

Satelite Radio, thats why. Its a oombo thing. Besides, if you ever had to a replace that rear window w/ a defroster and radio antena (however you spell that) would be mucho expensive.

[2010SEL]

Satelite Radio, thats why. Its a oombo thing. Besides, if you ever had to a replace that rear window w/ a defroster and radio antena (however you spell that) would be mucho expensive.

 

Right about the Sirius/XM radio thing. Plus those rear window antennas don't work so great.